The Diocese of Antipolo will hold the “episcopal coronation” of Our Lady of Light, patroness of Cainta, on Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. On the same day at 5 p.m., the Diocese of Pasig will inaugurate and bless the Museo Diocesano de Pasig.

Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes with former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa will crown Our Lady of Light.

In recognition of the special reverence of the Christian faithful, and as an expression of the attachment and devotion of the people of Cainta and other devotees, to the Mother of God, Bishop Reyes has granted the petition of parish priest Msgr. Arnel F. Lagarejos and the Parish Pastoral Council for the episcopal coronation.

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History of the devotion

Cainta historian Michael de los Reyes says that the year 2012 is doubly significant in the history of and devotion to the Madre Santissima del Lume, or Our Lady of Light.

In Palermo, Sicily, where the devotion originated, the 290th anniversary of the vision of Our Lady that occurred on Nov. 21, 1722, is being commemorated.

In Cainta, the parish under this Marian title celebrates the 285th anniversary of the introduction of the devotion by the Jesuit missionaries in 1727.

The original picture of Our Lady of Light brought by the Jesuits, and enshrined in the old church of Cainta, was then known as Nuestra Señora de la Luz, as attested in the “Santa Visita de Cainta, Año de 1790.”

In 1884 or perhaps even earlier, the Virgin became the titular of the parish, and was called Madre Santissima de Lumen, or Virgen ng Caliuanagan, as written in the letter of the pastor of Cainta, Don Mariano de San Juan, to the Archbishop of Manila, Fray Pedro Payo, O.P., dated Aug. 5, 1884.

Museo Diocesano de Pasig

Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara will inaugurate and bless the Museo Diocesano de Pasig on Dec. 1 after the 5 p.m. Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The 19th-century choir loft will also be blessed.

The event, “Sa Paglipas ng Panahon,” will showcase the history of Pasig as intertwined with that of the church, from prehistoric times to the present. This is portrayed by artist Derrick Macutay in a 60 ft x 5 ft mural done in acrylic exhibited at the museum hallway.

A collection of various artifacts are also displayed at the main hall, including some prints of plants and flowers that were used as illustrations in the renowned book by Augustinian Fr. Manuel Blanco, “Flora de Filipina.”

There will be a wonderful display of mementos of the 2008 canonical coronation of the Immaculate Conception by former Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego.

In charge of the museum is Fr. Rory Rosales, chair of the Diocesan Committee on Cultural Heritage and former parish church of the cathedral.

Due to the changes brought about by Vatican II in the 1960s, the choir loft had fallen into disuse. But now fully restored, it will have its comeback as venue to the Philippine Madrigal Singers, who in their repertoire will include “Maria,” an original composition by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo.

This project was undertaken by the “Abang Lingkod ni Maria,” headed by Frieda Legaspi and benefactors, in cooperation with the Ayala Museum Foundation. The parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral is Fr. Orlando Cantillan.

New Cofradia ‘hermanos’

The latest development reaching this column is that there are new hermanos for the Cofradia Marian procession on Dec. 2. They are Marietta Santos, Allan Jorge Tengco and Victoria Tengco-Burgos.

Organized by Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco 33 years ago, the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion has been mounting the grand Marian processions, in cooperation with the Intramuros Administration, beginning when when Jaime Laya was IA administrator.

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Churches dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal are holding Novena Masses from Nov. 18 to 26, for the feast of Our Lady on Nov. 27. The feast commemorates the apparition of Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure.

OUR LADY of Light, patroness of Cainta, Rizal

At the Parish of St. Vincent de Paul on San Marcelino St., Novena Masses are at 5 p.m. Fiesta Mass on Nov. 27 will be at 5 p.m. to be officiated by Archbishop of Ozamis Jesus A. Dosado, CM.

On Sunday, after the 11 a.m. Mass, there will be a motorcade around the 1909 original boundary of San Vicente de Paul Parish.

In Cebu, Archbishop Jose Palma will officiate the concelebrated Mass on Nov. 27, 9 a.m., at the Chapel of the Asilo de la Milagrosa” on the corner of Gorordo Avenue and Reyes Street. The “asilo” is an orphanage run by the Daughters of Charity.

Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani will speak on “Entering the Gate of Faith with Mary” during the feast Mass of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Nov. 27, 6 p.m., at the national shrine in Posadas Village, Muntinlupa.

The image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the national shrine will join the Dec. 2 Marian procession in Intramuros.

St. Nicholas of Bari

The St. Vincent de Paul Church on San Marcelino Street will hold Novena Masses in honor of St. Nicholas of Bari from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 at 8 a.m. Celebrant is Fr. Rene Ruellos.